Own Me (The Wolf Hotel, #5)

“A few weeks, at least.” I step into her outstretched arms and she envelops me in a warm, tight embrace. Her hugs are what I remember most growing up. No one can say she doesn’t like to give them. “Is that a new dress?” I know without asking that it is. She’s worn the same outfits for years.

“Got it yesterday.” She smooths the material over her hips. “Nothing fits me anymore.”

After that stunt with the caffeine pills to keep Henry and me apart, Mama and Daddy had a long, serious talk about her health—from the countless cups of coffee she was drinking every day to her poor diet and sedentary habits, to the fact that her mother died of a heart attack at a young age. I don’t know what else he said to her, but since then, she’s put in a real effort, cutting out caffeine, taking daily walks, and cooking healthier. “You look good.”

“I feel good. I can walk all the way to the Enderbeys’ place without needing a break.” She swings her focus to Henry.

I hold my breath.

“How is my favorite future son-in-law?” She charges forward to throw her arms around him.

Henry’s eyebrows twitch as he stoops to return her hug, the only sign that he’s shocked by her pleasant greeting. “Hello, Bernadette.”

“Oh, call me Mama if you want. Would ya look at that.” She scowls at the scab on his forehead, like a mother tending to her little boy’s injury.

“It’s nothing. Just a scratch.” His gaze flickers to me.

My mouth is gaping. Who is this woman?

“Thank the good lord you made it out of there with only that. Roger! They’re here!” Mama hollers.

“I’m aware of that.” I hear Daddy a moment before I see him, hobbling out of the kitchen, his leg still trapped by a walking cast. “I’m a little slower than everyone else, in case you forgot.” His eyes fall on me, and his face splits into a smile that Jed insists is reserved for his daughter and his daughter only.

I dive into his chest, squeezing him tight, inhaling his familiar scent: a mixture of hay and Old Spice, with a hint of tobacco from the occasional cigar.

“What is this?” Mama lifts the floral arrangement to inspect its copper vase.

“Henry picked those out for you.” No need to bring Miles into this conversation. It’s the thought that counts.

She tsks. “Well, we already knew he had impeccable taste, given his choice of future wife. This’ll make a fine centerpiece for our celebratory dinner. Thank you, Henry.” She whisks the flowers away.

I shoot a bewildered look at Henry before whispering to my father, “What have you done with Mama?”

Daddy snickers. “I guess she realized this was a battle she wasn’t gonna win and decided to make the best of things. She’s been like this all week long. Why? Would you prefer the other version?”

“No.” I shake my head in emphasis.

“Didn’t think so.” He limps the few steps to close the distance to Henry and holds out his hand. “Good to see you again.”

“Likewise.” Henry accepts the gesture.

My father’s not a giant, but he’s by no means small—a born-and-bred farmer, several generations in, and strong, with a square jaw and broad shoulders. But the tractor accident took its toll on his physique, softening his muscles and hunching his shoulders. Henry’s only ever seen him when he was in a wheelchair. Now the two men stand face-to-face, shaking hands for a few beats too long, as if taking measure of each other on more even footing.

This must be weird for Henry. He’s only nine years younger than his future father-in-law, who was barely out of high school before he married my mother and they had me.

But I guess it could be equally weird for my father, for the same reason.

The only thing they need to care about, though, is that Henry makes me deliriously happy.

After an awkward pause, they break free.

“A gift for you.” Henry holds up the sleekly wrapped box. “A little something for after dinner. A favorite of mine.”

“That’s mighty kind. You didn’t need to do that, but I look forward to it. Thank you.” He nods, more to himself. “Now, let’s get settled in and say hello to the Enderbeys. They’re excited to see you too.”

“Okay, but before we do that …” Aunt May has been my ally when it comes to Henry, but my father has been getting through to Mama more than anyone lately. I drop my voice to a whisper. “This wedding Mama’s busy planning for us? It’s not what we want, and it has to stop.”

His lips purse. “I warned her she was gettin’ ahead of herself, but she wouldn’t listen.”

“We’re getting married in Wolf Cove, Daddy. Where I worked this summer.”

“That’s … not Pennsylvania.”

“I know, but I need you on my side for this.”

He makes a strangled sound. “Can ya at least wait until after we’ve had a nice meal to break the news to her?”

“I’ll try,” I promise. “You know how she can get though.”

He holds up the black box Henry gave him. “Sounds like I’m gonna need this sooner rather than later.”





Jed peers at the label. “Sang-ee-o-vees?”

“Sangiovese.” The grape name rolls off Henry’s tongue and, while I’ve never heard it before, I am one hundred percent sure he’s pronouncing it correctly. “From Montepulciano, a medieval town in Tuscany.”

“Can you get it at Walmart?”

Henry falters on his answer, likely biting back the one he wants to give. He’s on his best behavior tonight, even with my ex-fiancé. Still, his smile is smug when he explains with forced patience, “No, it’s a reserve from one of my favorite wineries in Italy. My sommelier at our Pittsburgh Wolf location imports it for me.” I can hear the unspoken “You idiot” in his tone.

“Seems like a whole lot of effort for foreign red wine when we have plenty here in America.” Jed snorts.

“And yet you’re enjoying it,” Henry fires back.

Jed certainly is. Thank goodness Henry brought several bottles.

With a small grunt, Jed refills his glass for a second time to near brimming before setting the bottle down.

The softest sigh escapes Henry—too soft for anyone but me to hear—and then he lifts the bottle. “More wine for you, Laura?”

Jed’s pretty blond girlfriend’s cheeks ignite with a furious blush. I’ve caught her staring unabashedly at Henry at least a dozen times since we sat down, and each time she notices me watching her, she ducks her head and reaches for Jed’s hand. “Yes, please. Thank you.”

Henry refills her glass, then tops up mine without asking. “Celeste?”

“Thank you, but I will pass,” Celeste declines softly. She accepted a “splash” for a toast. It’s more than I’ve ever seen her drink.

Henry goes around the table. “Bernadette?”

“Oh, maybe just a smidge.” Mama holds up her glass, her cheeks rosy. “Don’t judge me too harshly, Reverend. This is a special occasion, after all.”

“I would have to be a pot calling a kettle black, now, wouldn’t I.” Reverend Enderbey takes a sip of his wine.

Aliens must have landed in Greenbank, Pennsylvania, recently and possessed bodies because Henry was right—everyone accepted wine with dinner.

Henry stands to refresh Mama’s glass before setting the bottle down and retaking his seat.